Universities back to academic work

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Universities started functioning yesterday after a lapse of three
months. The academics returned to campuses to resume teaching, Vice
Chancellors said. The students turned up in large numbers at
universities islandwide after the strike ended, they said.

Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof Kshanika Hirimburegama said
all faculties at the Colombo University are functioning smoothly. Prof
Hirimburegama said university lecturers will work to catch up on the
three month backlog. “However, we have held University Senate, Council
and Deans’ Committee meetings at the Colombo University even during the
strike,” she said.

Meanwhile, lectures have begun at some faculties in universities.
Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) Secretary Terrance
Madujith said all universities resumed work.

“The government has paid the full salaries for the three months the
university teachers were on strike, Madujith said. “There was a problem
at the Ruhuna University this morning where the university academics
were not paid their salary arrears. It was solved in the evening,”
Madujith said.

Asked if lectures have begun, Madujith said lectures have started in
some faculties. Lectures will resume in all faculties towards the end of
the week, he said. He said academics will also commence the Advanced
Level paper marking this week. Marking will be completed within a month
of its commencement.

“We have discussed this with the Examination Commissioner,” Madujith
said. Asked about their stand on conducting leadership training
programmes, Madujith said they have been asked to give their opinion
about conducting the leadership training programmes for university
students.

“Minister Basil Rajapaksa asked us to have a dialogue about this with
the Higher Education Ministry. We are planning to start a dialogue
regarding the leadership training programme in universities,” he said.